Flights to South Africa

[JimP]

Get in touch with Lori at Travel Express. When I flew over and was looking for flights the direct flight on Delta was $700-$1000 more expensive than it was with South African Airways. She booked me a flight out of Denver to NYC to Joberg, and finally Port Elizabeth cheaper than I could find and the savings paid for her service.

She also knows what airlines to stay away from that are not gun friendly and where you might have a problem having to transfer your firearms yourself.

http://www.travelexpressagency.com/

 

[JimP]

I should also say that if you use a good travel agent that if there is any change in flights, times, or other things that could cause a problem that the agent should pick up on it and notify you of what is going on.

Lori did this for me on my flight home when United out of Delius changed a flight time. We never would of made the connecting flight back to Denver that day if we would of stayed with the original flight.

 

[jeff]

Keep shopping and look at all options. We booked our round trip from Missoula Montana last year on Delta peak season mid July for $1407 and it was through Atlanta. We booked in Feb.

 

[YancyW]

I used Lori on my trip this summer. It had been years since I had used a travel agent, I travel so much work, you get used to doing your own and not think about using them. She was within $100 of the cheapest thing I could find on my own and took care of a bunch of stuff for me. Very much worth any extra.

 

[Martin77]

I really appreciate everyone’s input. This app has been so helpful preparing for this awesome trip! Thanks everyone!

 

[ve7poi]

Look at KLM had really good experience with them twice now

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Another vote for @Travel Express . Have only had excellent service from them with our hunters. As has been mentioned, they are always on top of things when flight times have changed etc.

Look at KLM had really good experience with them twice now

Will be interesting to hear whether you travelled with firearms. Have heard reports that flying through Amsterdam with firearms can be challenging.

 

[ve7poi]

Firearms both times Calgary to Amsterdam then to joberg just get your transport for both ways permit one month min before flight and bags and rifles transferred between flights by airline.
You must also tell KLM day before your flight you will be checking in with firearms have a copy of all paperwork handy so readily available for check in if they happen to ask for it.
Very nice counter staff very knowledgeable and friendly both ends of flight.

Permits were applied for online and copies of required doc emailed same time the sent permit back in 5days good for going and return flights based on your flight itinerary

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Any advice on booking flights to South Africa. I’m a little less than a year out. Trying to get the most for my money. Thanks

Just fly direct
Flysaa.com
Or delta etc
The few $ you dave going via dunainor europe is just not worth the time in my opinion

 

[Dean2]

Flew Ethiopian in July and Aug this year. First class, Edm to Toronto, Toronto to Addis Ababa, Addis to Joberg. Total Travel time 30 hours, was the fastest option available from here. Edm to Toronto then to Dulus and then over took 5 hours longer. On board service was GREAT, food was okay, lots of quality liquor. The Dreamliners have full individual pods that make into lay flat beds. Flew on travel points but if I remember right cash price was about $3,500 Canadian, which is pretty good for Business Class return.

Their website and call centre are not overly user friendly but the airline has a great safety record and the on board staff were very good to deal with.

Was just checking Air Canada for May 2-19, they have Business class return for $4,371 all in Canadian. Edm to Calgary, 1 hour, Edm to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Joberg. $1300 in economy.

 

[ve7poi]

Calgary 8hrs to Amsterdam 2hr lay over 10hr Johannesburg with KLM drinks free
Really good food and service leave at reasonable time of day fast clearance in Amsterdam no lost or delayed luggage last two trips

Delta Calgary to salt lake 2.5- 3hr layover then to 4.5 to
Atlanta 3hr layover then 17hrs to Johannesburg cramped seating drinks +$$$ typical bland airline food. At airport for 0600 to get through us-customs for flight at 10am

Luggage / rifles <delayed 2days> on return section 2out of 3 trips coming back through USA after processing in Atlanta. No permit needed
but with the minor email application for Amsterdam permit is now my preferred route for return flights to Johannesburg..

 

[Newboomer]

Lori at Travel Express every time. I've used them for both my safaris and she got me the best flights and connections. I fly from Reno, NV to NYC. From there go SAA. It's a direct nonstop to JNB. Same coming home. Stay away from Delta. I flew them last time coming home and it was not nice. We had a stop in Lagos, Nigeria and the local constabulary was not friendly. Took on a bunch of locals to Dulles and when we got there that plane was a total mess. Even the locals wouldn't go into the lavs.

 

[Philip Glass]

Any advice on booking flights to South Africa. I’m a little less than a year out. Trying to get the most for my money. Thanks

Where are you from and where is your destination? Good advice here but you should use a travel agent hat specializes in traveling with guns.
I’ve taken several different routes and the main questions are above and whether or not you want business class.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

View attachment 256583

Cool map

 

[Ragman]

The light isn't even 30 miles down the tunnel on that front for me yet.

I hear you. I'm 20 years in with 10 more to go. Sometimes I feel like the light at the end of the tunnel is the front of an oncoming train!!!

 

[tommy1005]

We ended up booking our flights ourselves because we travel so much that it's just what we do. We are flying IAH to IAD to JNB on the way over and through Frankfurt on the way home. We are travelling with our son who will be 7 when we go and really wanted to do the direct flights, but by booking through Frankfurt on the way home we paid $1300 per ticket instead of the $2400-$2800 for the round trip direct flights with SAA or Delta. Adding 4 or 5 hours seemed like it was worth the over $3000 in savings. I'd rather spend that money on a couple extra animals anyway, including a few for my son. We are taking a 6.5 Creedmoor for him to shoot. Hoping he takes a deer with it here this year before we go.

 

[Hogpatrol]

We ended up booking our flights ourselves because we travel so much that it's just what we do. We are flying IAH to IAD to JNB on the way over and through Frankfurt on the way home. We are travelling with our son who will be 7 when we go and really wanted to do the direct flights, but by booking through Frankfurt on the way home we paid $1300 per ticket instead of the $2400-$2800 for the round trip direct flights with SAA or Delta. Adding 4 or 5 hours seemed like it was worth the over $3000 in savings. I'd rather spend that money on a couple extra animals anyway, including a few for my son. We are taking a 6.5 Creedmoor for him to shoot. Hoping he takes a deer with it here this year before we go.

What airlines did you book and how are you handling firearm transfer through Frankfurt?

 

[johnnyblues]

For over 30 years I ve booked my own flights. I book with either expedia or orbitz and I have never run into a problem. They notify me whenever there is a change via text. I was notified by me PH day before thanksgiving that he got a leopard tag, I immediately booked my flight for May of 2019 and saved over $250 compared to fares the next day. Granted black Friday helped. Book ASAP is my choice. If I were going to somewhere very remote I would definitely use Lori.

 

[tommy1005]

We booked through United, but the return flight will be Lufthansa for both legs. It is my understanding that you don’t need a permit to pass through Frankfurt, but I will apply for one and carry it with me just in case.